Kayak in the rain

And paddle upwind !!   

Alex

Some of my best yakkin days have been in the rain.

Yep, and I have been there on a few of those.  Melones soon ?

Waders, good hat and enjoy.  Love fishing in the rain...

Here is a picture I took of PolePole at Berryessa.

You can fish for Stripper and Sturge under the 37 bridge, Petaluma River. Its HUGE under there, lots of room, some years its silted up, sometimes there are holes but its one bigass umbrella.

Is there any other way to fish! Of course being from the Oregon coast.

So a lot of us fish year round so that includes fishing in the rain. The nice thing about fishing in the rain is that you are often alone which is cool and the fish don't care if it is raining. In fact it can be some of the most memorable outings. Since this is a safety discussion, here are some things to think about:

1. Location: in general lakes are the safest. The SF bay, ocean and rivers can be much more sketchy.
2. Forecast and weather awareness: forecasts can be accurate but are often 100% off in the winter. You have to be able to judge weather conditions and be aware of weather changes OTW.
3. Clothing and equipment: duh you need all that stuff
4. Skills and good judgement: this is probably the most important. Don't leave home without your brain.
5. Wind strength and direction: you have to be able to make a safe landing if all hell breaks loose.
6. Lightening and wind swell: extreme weather can bring the risk of lightening strike and capsizing

All that said, get some rain gear and get out there. If we are lucky, it will be a very wet winter and most storms are fishable.

Thank You All, this is really helpful!
I fish from shore in the rain and don't really see kayak or boats and didn't know it was a normal thing to do in the rain.
All makes sense I will have to try it out!
It will be an experience so it should be fun.

Those rain pictures are awesome! Love it, and the catch in the rain is just too good.
Rain or shine I'm going out tomorrow

Here is a picture I took of PolePole at Berryessa.

That was wet, AND awesome.

Lightning and assorted naturally occurring  electrical disturbances just make surviving more special.  Go for it!

if you see a purple fuzzy looking gas around your rod tip, lower your rod tip and rapidly seek shelter, then go somewhere inside and reflect on St Elmo's Fire and you're continues existence.


BTDT

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=23594.0
this post from a few years ago should answer any questions about kayaking in the rain ;0)

Now Eric. I want you to read the seventh post on that thread.

Now Eric. I want you to read the seventh post on that thread.

Yeah and then there is Freddie's (AKA savage) post saying HE was cold. Which reminds me of the Gimmie Shelter when it was raining. Bottom line is that wet suits suck n the rain. Paddle or dry suit with fleece under and you are good to go.

what about paddling in the dark? I've been OTW since 5. Probably wouldn't have tried it if it weren't for the full moon